1. Describe the stasis in the play: where, when, who, what, etc. in a paragraph.
The stasis of the play is in New York City beginning in 1981. It involves Ned Weeks, Dr. Emma Brookner, Ben Weeks, Bruce Niles, Felix, Tommy, Mikey, Craig, Grady, David, and a few other minor roles. The premise of the play is it is the beginning of the AIDS crisis and Ned Weeks the central character has a friend about to discover that he has it, along with many more of his friends.
2. What is the intrusion?
The intrusion of the play occurs when Ned's friend is told he has the disease and Dr. Brookner urges Ned to tell the gay community to stop having sex, which she (correctly) suspects to be how the disease spreads. This is the intrusion because it spurs Ned to create articles in the paper he writes for and create the nonprofit foundation to help spread his message. Even though it occurs early on, this is the inciting moment of the play's drama.
3. What is the unique factor?
The unique factor of the play is that this is the day that Ned, goes to the doctor's office with his good friend only to discover he has AIDS. It could not happened any other day, therefore it is the unique factor.
4. What is the dramatic question that should be answered by the end of the play?
The dramatic question that must be answered by the end of the play is, will Ned reach the community in time to save everyone including his friends? And will he be able to reconcile his fiery passion and reconnect with those he pushed away i.e. his brother Ben?
5. Provide an illustration of the two kinds of exposition that the play has in it.
One example of expostion that only one charcter knows is .... One example of exposition that everyone knows is ......
6. Identify the most theatrical moment in the play and of what importance it seems to be.
7. List some of the themes of the play.
8. What does Ned want and what are some obstacles that stand in the way of his getting what he wants?
9. Describe some possible images in the play and how does the title help us understand the play.
10. Briefly define the family relationships that are examined in the play.
The stasis of the play is in New York City beginning in 1981. It involves Ned Weeks, Dr. Emma Brookner, Ben Weeks, Bruce Niles, Felix, Tommy, Mikey, Craig, Grady, David, and a few other minor roles. The premise of the play is it is the beginning of the AIDS crisis and Ned Weeks the central character has a friend about to discover that he has it, along with many more of his friends.
2. What is the intrusion?
The intrusion of the play occurs when Ned's friend is told he has the disease and Dr. Brookner urges Ned to tell the gay community to stop having sex, which she (correctly) suspects to be how the disease spreads. This is the intrusion because it spurs Ned to create articles in the paper he writes for and create the nonprofit foundation to help spread his message. Even though it occurs early on, this is the inciting moment of the play's drama.
3. What is the unique factor?
The unique factor of the play is that this is the day that Ned, goes to the doctor's office with his good friend only to discover he has AIDS. It could not happened any other day, therefore it is the unique factor.
4. What is the dramatic question that should be answered by the end of the play?
The dramatic question that must be answered by the end of the play is, will Ned reach the community in time to save everyone including his friends? And will he be able to reconcile his fiery passion and reconnect with those he pushed away i.e. his brother Ben?
5. Provide an illustration of the two kinds of exposition that the play has in it.
One example of expostion that only one charcter knows is .... One example of exposition that everyone knows is ......
6. Identify the most theatrical moment in the play and of what importance it seems to be.
7. List some of the themes of the play.
8. What does Ned want and what are some obstacles that stand in the way of his getting what he wants?
9. Describe some possible images in the play and how does the title help us understand the play.
10. Briefly define the family relationships that are examined in the play.